HARRISBURG – Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40) was joined today by survivors, advocates, fellow legislators and members of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition to renew her call for passage of lifesaving legislation to protect Pennsylvania students and school communities from sudden cardiac arrest.
The event marked Brown’s continued push to advance her bill — reintroduced this session as Senate Bill 375 — which would require all public and nonpublic schools in Pennsylvania to establish or expand a cardiac emergency response plan for all athletic activities. The bill also includes requirements for CPR training and AED readiness.
“When children are participating in school athletic events, they are in our care. This bill is a reasonable and effective way to help keep them safe,” Brown said. “Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone – even those with no known heart condition. That’s why it is vital that schools, public facilities and private establishments know where their nearest AED is located and are prepared to respond quickly in an emergency.”
Brown first became involved in cardiac preparedness legislation in 2014, inspired by the story of Greg Moyer, a 15-year-old from East Stroudsburg who tragically died from sudden cardiac arrest during a basketball game in 2000.
Rachel Moyer, Greg’s mother, was in attendance. “My 15-year-old is dead because there was no access to an AED for 42 minutes. The first ambulance showed up without one,” she said. “Enough is enough. It’s been 24 years – please make sure this bill goes through.”
Senate Bill 375 would require schools to train staff and volunteers in CPR and AED use every two years, with at least five individuals per school certified in AED usage. Schools would also be responsible for developing or updating their emergency response plans to meet nationally recognized cardiac standards.
Ken Edmonds, vice president of public policy and government affairs for the NFL and a representative of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, spoke at the event in support of the bill.
“We’ve come together once again at the capitol of the commonwealth to urge the legislature to pass Senate Bill 375 and House Bill 191 as soon as possible,” Edmonds said. “In the previous session, we joined with our legislative champions – our quarterbacks, Sen. Brown and Rep. Brennan. And with our legislative champions, we want to push this bill further down the field and we are committed to finishing the drive that we started in getting this bill into law.”
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes, with nearly two-thirds of cases occurring during physical activity.
Following the press event, Youth Heart Watch at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia led a hands-only CPR and AED demonstration, giving attendees a firsthand look at how preparation can save lives.
Brown is urging Pennsylvanians to contact their lawmakers and the governor’s office to express support for Senate Bill 375 and make Pennsylvania schools safer for all.
View the entire press conference here.
View Brown’s remarks here.
CONTACT:
Christine Zubeck